BRADFORD Bulls fans have been given the chance to boost the playing budget for the club’s squad by signing up to a new scheme.

The Bradford Bulls Squad Booster Association (BBSA), a new independent supports’ group, has been set up with the sole aim of raising funds to supplement the existing Bulls' club budget for retaining and signing first-team squad players.

All funds raised by the scheme will go directly into the BBSBA bank account.

Then, at the request of head coach John Kear alone, and after consultation with the independent BBSBA committee, funds will be released to the club to contribute to, for example, contracting a new player or extending an existing player’s contract.

That means every penny association members donate will go straight to strengthening the first team squad to make us as competitive as we can be in the Betfred Championship.

To become a full member of the association, which includes an invitation to the club’s annual general meeting, people’s annual contributions to BBSBA simply need to equal or exceed £60 per financial year, which runs until November 30. Contributions of more than £5 per month would also be welcomed.

 

If anyone does not wish to become a member but would still like to make a contribution to BBSBA funds, the association are happy to accept donations of any amount either as a regular payment or whenever you feel you can. You can do this using any of the methods listed below.

BBSA committee members include Bulls volunteers John and Anne Downes and Elaine Crowther, landlady of the Top House, Odsal.

Richard Wood, BBSBA treasurer who has been following the club for more than 40 years, said: "This is independent of the club, but they are 100 per cent behind it.

"All clubs in the Championship would never refuse assistance in signing players.

"In the current climate of Covid, it helps the club.

"There is a loyal fanbase with the Bulls that has had its loyalty tested and stretched with relegations and administrations over the last few years, but there is a bigger core fanbase than a lot of the clubs have in the Championship.

"The playing budget money we raise could be used as a lump sum to get in one player.

"It's for people who feel like they want to do something to help the club.

We can make up the difference to allow a signing to be completed that might not have been before

People who wish to join and set up a monthly standing order to the BBSBA bank account for £5 (or whatever amount you wish to donate) per month (the bank account details are below)

Bank: Nat West; Branch: Skipton; Account Number: 53175948; Sort Code: 010793; Account Name: Bradford Bulls Squad Booster Association

Cash contributions can also be made weekly, monthly, annually or by any other frequency of a person’s choice provided they total at least £60 in the financial year.

Payments can be made by any of the following methods:

Regular standing order from your bank.

Ad hoc bank transfers (please ensure your full name is shown as a reference).

Cheques payable to ‘Bradford Bulls Squad Booster Association’ (send to treasurer, Richard Wood or leave at the Bulls shop at Odsal Stadium in a clearly marked envelope).

Cash (for security we advise leaving this in the club shop at Odsal Stadium in a clearly marked envelope).

To register your membership, complete the BBSBA membership form at bullssquadbooster.co.uk